A Myrtle Beach vacation is a dream come true for lovers of the sea. We offer a long stretch of beach to build sandcastles and swim, the stunning Intracoastal Waterway for peaceful kayak trips and wildlife spotting, and of course, one of the best water activities in the area, bountiful fishing.
What could be more rewarding than catching your own dinner? Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a novice angler, there are plenty of places to get in the fishing of your choice. From deep sea fishing to casual pier fishing, you can plan a fishing trip to suit any of your needs.
Curious about what types of fishing experiences Myrtle Beach has to offer? Here are some of the best places to fish along the Grand Strand and what types of fish you can expect to catch.
Where to Fish in Myrtle Beach
First, let’s make sure you understand your options on where you go fishing, from private fishing charters to casting a casual line.
Fishing Piers & Surf Fishing
One of the easiest ways to go fishing in Myrtle Beach is to utilize one of the area’s many fishing piers.
Some piers charge a small fee to fish, which also covers the cost of a daily or weekly fishing permit, while others offer fishing free of charge but guests will have to cover the cost and process of acquiring a state fishing permit on their own. More on fishing permits at the end of this article!
To avoid paying a fee at local piers, you’ll also see people surf fishing with their toes right in the sand. The biggest piece of advice for this is to not set up shop near any groups of people swimming and check on local rules and regulations.
Our favorite local piers that allow fishing include:
- Second Avenue Pier
- Myrtle Beach State Park Pier
- Cherry Grove Pier
- Surfside Pier
- The Pier at Garden City
- Veterans Pier
- Apache Pier
Many piers also even offer rentals for fishing gear, lures, and bait sales, though guests are always welcome to bring their own.
Inlets & Creeks
Those seeking a bit more of an involved experience can try their luck at some of the local inlets and creeks. This type of fishing requires a boat, so many guests find a local rental or may even bring their own for some inshore fishing.
Popular local fishing spots for inlets and creeks include:
- Murrells Inlet
- Cherry Grove Inlet
- Pawleys Island Creek
There are plenty of landings there for you to load up your own boat or several local rental spots if you’d like to rent a boat for the day. Since these areas are public, there is no charge to fish, guests just need to be sure to have the proper fishing license and take care of any rental fees for equipment.
Group & Private Charters
Serious fishermen or those with a larger budget are sure to enjoy the thrill of a deep sea fishing charter. A day spent off in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean is one most will never forget, whether they’re avid fishermen or not.
Group and private charters vary greatly in how far offshore they go and in price, so be sure to do plenty of research in advance so you can find the charter that is right for you. If it interests you and your group, you can even plan a trip specifically for shark fishing.
Fishing charters in the Myrtle Beach area are abundant and run from North Myrtle Beach all the way down to Georgetown, so you won’t have to look far to find a trip near your Grand Strand resort.
For the biggest variety in fish and biggest catch, you might want to go farther out to the Gulf Stream. While a bigger day trip, it offers some of the best fishing possible. Nearshore fishing excursions can be planned as a half day trip but Gulf Stream trips will likely need a full day.
It’s important you know in advance that while deep sea fishing is an extremely fun family-friendly activity, these trips aren’t cheap since you’ll also need to pay the cost of fuel, equipment, and fees for the captain and crew. To cut the costs, many guests split the cost of the charter between several people and make an entire day out of it.
The cost of the charter also includes the time it takes to clean the fish so all you have to worry about is what you’re bringing home for dinner.
Tip: VMB guests can use their VMB Card to get a discount at a handful of fishing charters in the area.
Types of Fish You Can Expect to Reel In
This area of the South Carolina coast is known for its wide variety of fish species, making it a fantastic place to catch your next meal. Based on where you decide to fish from and the time of the year you visit, your catch will vary.
If pier fishing, you could catch:
- Spot Croaker Fish
- Black Sea Bass
- Sea Trout
- Red Drum
- Speckled Trout
Common catches in the creeks and inlets include:
- Flounder
- Black Drum
- Sheepshead
- Red Drum
- Bluefish
- Grouper
Depending on how far you go, guests who take a charter can expect to catch:
- Tuna
- Mahi Mahi
- Cobia
- Red Fish
- Amberjack
- King Mackerel
- Spanish Mackerel
- Snapper
- Tarpon
- Wahoo
Myrtle Beach Fishing Tips
To make the most of your Myrtle Beach fishing charter or self set-up, we recommend you keep these tips in mind for a great day fishing.
- You do NOT need a fishing permit when fishing on a public pier or on a licensed charter. You DO need a fishing permit when far from shore or when on a non-licensed charter in saltwater.
- Depending on the fish species you’re after, you might face a legal limit as to the size or quantity you bring in. Some fish also have seasons where you can and can’t catch them. Before your fishing adventure double check the season and legal limits to be on the safe side.
- Given its location on the Gulf Stream, this is one of the best places for great fishing. If you have a first time fisher among you, you can’t pick a better place to give it a try.
- While there are places to go freshwater fishing in the area, saltwater fishing is the reigning champion here and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Grab Your Rod & Cast Your Line
Well, what are you waiting for? Grab your rod and head down to one of the popular fishing spots in Myrtle Beach, those fish aren’t going to catch themselves!
Year-round the Myrtle Beach area offers incredible fishing experiences that we’re certain you’re going to love. Whether you choose surf fishing to a deep sea charter trip, it’ll be a day you won’t soon forget.